Is computer audio a bust?

11-08-14: Mcondon
Well, if the sound of the PS Audio Bridge is representative of what Ethernet has to offer, count me out. I thought the Bridge, which streamed audio via an Ethernet connection, sounded awful. The PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport was miles better in sound quality, but is not the last word in high fidelity. When I read claims that Ethernet audio is or will be superior to computer audio, my gut reaction is just to stick with a CD transport until a big, reputable audiophile manufacturer comes out with a "plug and play" server that rips CDs, provides storage for backup, is easy to control with an iPad, and sounds stellar without the need for a high cost USB-SPDIF converter. It cannot cost what Lumin charges, and it cannot be from a "mom and pop" operation with one or two people on board. Maybe I am a Luddite...but I don't work in IT and so the inconvenience of getting a computer or Ethernet source up and running seems worse than the inconvenience of getting up from my chair to put a CD in a transport when I want to listen to music. End of rant.

So are ethernet streamers a bust too?

For me it took getting the synergies correct ... right digital cables, DAC and software to achieve what I thought is actually better sound with some HiRes recording than the CD. Running MacBook Pro with Pure Music 2, AudioQuest Diamond USB going into Bryston BUC-1 feeding a Levinson No360s by way of Shunyata Anaconda digital AES/EBU. I still listen to CD's and in my system that is with a Levinson No37 transport also connected to the DAC by Anaconda AES/EBU. Both work well for me however if I can find the 96/24 download I usually buy it because often I prefer that. I typically prefer the sound of the CD on the No37 to just a straight rip of the CD.

Gadawg, just like vinyl, the devil is in the details....in some ways even more so. I believe this is part of the motivation for some moving back to plastic spinners.

10-23-14: Audioengr
"If you analyze people's opinions on SQ superiority of WAV versus AIFF or any other format, its a coin toss statistically. What does that tell us?"

Not if you are selective about who does the listening and on what systems. I do these comparisons at virtually every show I exhibit at. The differences are always obvious. Usually the listener that has ripped his entire library in AIFF or FLAC just leaves in disgust because he now knows that he has worked hard to produce something suboptimal.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I have to agree 100%. there is a big difference in the Uncompressed formats(.wav) vs even lossless formats.
I know first hand.
I had purchased and still use JRivermedia.
Initially it (JRiver) tried to rip all of my Cds in .ape format,which i changed to .wav
I started with Windows XP. I had ripped 40 cds or so when i decided that in order to have media center remote control functionality, i needed Windows 7.
I installed Windows 7 and started ripping again. I started listening and everything sounded a little bright and harsh. I did not realize that JRiver defaulted back to ripping in .ape format again.I quickly changed it back to .wav and deleted the files ripped in .ape
I COULD hear a difference. The .wav was much smoother.
Now you will get people who will tell you that you should not hear a difference, becasue it is bit perfect(.ape vs .wav).Maybe it is in the compression and decompression that causes it . I do not know, but what i do know is that there IS a difference in sound, in my setup.
I think if you cannot hear a difference , then your system is not up to snuff.
For example,I used to use an Emotiva LPA-1 amp.I had tried several different Coaxial and optical cables from my Fidelity V-Link2 to McCormack DAC-1.I could not hear any differences.
I recently bough a McIntosh MC2205. I also tried some different digital cables. NOW, I COULD hear differences.
So my equipment was not up to snuff,IMO,proir to the MC2205

Hi Grey9hound, congrat's on your McIntosh MC2205, drop by the Tara thread some time, good to see you about.